By: Shannon Ramer, sports information assistant
November 17, 2006

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team hosted Siena Heights on Friday, November 17, 2006, in Founders Hall. The Saints were too much for the Beavers as Bluffton lost the contest by a final score of 59-54. Siena Heights came out strong in the second half and the Beavers let the game slip from their grasp. 

Bluffton and Siena battled hard in the opening minutes of the game as tight defense kept the score low. The Beavers led by two points with three minutes to play before a Siena layup knotted the contest with 1:18 to go in the first stanza. Siena was fouled with 37 seconds and put in one free throw. The Beavers worked hard to get the ball back as Tanya Rickenberg (Paulding/Paulding) was fouled and put in both free throws. The foul shots gave Bluffton a one-point advantage with 21 ticks remaining. Siena player Onicko Biggs found the hoop with nine seconds left putting Siena Heights up, 28-27, at the break.

The second half started quickly for the Beavers as Lindsay Bush (Howard/East Knox) converted a layup with an assist from Angie Lee (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue). The Beavers and Saints were neck in neck with three minutes to go. After several missed shots by the Beavers, Siena found themselves ahead, 58-50, with 1:31 left. Bluffton junior Angie Lee tried to keep Bluffton alive by making two layups, but the Saints pulled away from the Beavers by a final score of 59-54.

Leading the Beavers on the evening was Rickenberg with 18 points. The senior also pulled down 10 rebounds. Lindsay Bush swatted a team-high four blocks and tallied eight points. Freshman guard Vicki Auer (Cincinnati/Roger Bacon) added a team-high three assists for Bluffton. 

The Beavers return to action on Saturday, November 18, 2006, when they host Ursuline College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-